Beautiful Bridges of Hope

Bridges of Hope is a special evening, a night where people connect with each. Some come to volunteer their time and profession, others come to speak with those volunteers. In all, a great atmosphere surrounds over 50 poeple seeking to care or be cared about.

From my initial tally, we had 29 people (not counting volunteers).

I saw many relationships being forged and heard many say how comfortable they felt. I noticed how long people lingered - some came at 6:30p.m. and stayed all evening!

One family was struggling with a very familiar problem to many- the amount of money coming in was less than the current bills going out. Married for forty years, the husband lamented over the reality that, if he divorced his wife and lived with her, he may be able to obtain more benefits. The couple spent the evening brainstorming with two wonderful volunteers (foreclosure specailists) ideas on how to live.

We had six people return from previous Bridges nights and a number of new volunteers. Great!Special thanks to Fellowship for the hospitality; and to Rick Hartman for the voluminous hours of service. Our next Bridges is scheduled for June.

What a Year!

What a year 2008 has already been! Depending upon your sources of information, the USA is either poised for greatness, or we're heading for another Great Depression. I know our efforts have little effect on the direction of a nation, but our small "drops in the ocean" of caring can have tremendous effects on the people in our community. The already have!

Your Faith Community Service Fund has been quietly serving people week in and week out since our beginning in 2005. With a little budget, a lot of volunteers, a little faith and a lot of connections, I've seen the impact a little love can have.

Did you know Faith Community Service Fund and Bridges of Hope have over 75 active volunteers? In estimating the value our volunteers have shared with the community, in one year, based upon a salary of $18.46 per hour, our Bridges of Hope volunteers have given $49,842 in quality time. Add to this the over 1100 hours of FCSF volunteeers ($20,306), and the total is $70,148 of quality time to families!

One drop of water, added to other drops, makes a big difference. Read some of the stories of people we've served. Get involved! We cannot change the course of a nation but we can sure start a river of compassion, flowing over the hearts of people. And we need you.

“I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for….”

We’ve all heard someone say something like this. You fill in the blank– who was it for you? You can be that person for someone else.

“Wait a minute. I could never do that, I don’t know where to begin…”
Yes you can!!! God has given you abilities, Windows to Weld will help you unlock those abilities and connect you with people who need you.

Simply by being yourself, you can be the difference in someone else’s life. Windows to Weld is here to develop, support, and connect you to community families by providing you with the tools and experience you will need. Don’t miss the next training session on March 4th. Attending the training doesn’t commit you to become a mentor but you will discover how easy it is to make a difference in someone’s life through mentoring.

Mentor Training Session
Tuesday, March 4th, 2008
6pm - 9pm (dinner is provided)
Cost- 3 hours of your time
Benefit- One free meal and a lifetime of opportunity

Bethel Baptist Church - Hospitality House
(Just to the west of the church sanctuary)
2307 17th Avenue, Greeley, CO 80631

Reserve your spot by calling:
Faith Community Service Fund at 405-2533 or Family Resource Center at 353-0320.

Faith Partnership Council Forming

I want you to know about an important committee that is forming for the benefit of Weld County residents.
The Weld Faith Partnership Council is seeking faith-group servant leaders to help the county continue to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors.
If you have been in any faith service in our community, you understand the delicate nature of "church-state" relationships. This is a committee
which you can serve upon to be a positive voice for developing confidence and trust between faith groups, government employees, the County Commissioners, and residents of Weld County, while serving to address the issues facing the residents of our County. Servant hearts are needed: prayerfully consider applying.

Blessings,
Dale
Faith Community Service Fund
______________________________________________________


For immediate release - 1/17/08

The Weld County Commissioners are seeking Weld County residents
interested in volunteering to serve on the Faith Partnership Council.

The Faith Partnership Council advises the commissioners on strategic
recommendations from a faith-based and community-based perspective
regarding issues of concern in Weld County. Quarterly meetings are
conducted, and the time commitment is twelve hours annually. Leaders of
faith-based organizations are encouraged to apply.


For further information or an application, please contact Vicky Sprague
at 970-336-7204 or vsprague@co.weld.co.us. Applications are also
available at www.co.weld.co.us. Applications will be accepted through
February 8, 2008.


Vicky Sprague, Office Manager
Board of Weld County Commissioners
915 10th Street, 3rd Floor
P. O. Box 758
Greeley CO 80632
Telephone: 970-336-7204
Fax: 970-352-0242
vsprague@co.weld.co.us

Prayer Center Flooded

Greeley's 24 hour prayer center flooded in December, according to Karen Gross, Director.

"It will take awhile to restore everything. The insurance company was coming to assess the damages, so I hope we come out on the winning end of this," said Karen.

For more information, share prayers, send an e-mail: pray.24.greeley@gmail.com

Bridges of Hope Coming February 12th

The next Bridges of Hope is Tuesday, February 12, 6:30pm-8:00pm at Fellowship Church.

For more information, send us an e-mail, or reply to this post.

Servant’s Report, Year of 2007

• Number of Families Served: 188
• Birth Certificates/IDs: 32
• Volunteer Hours: 1,198
• Number of Volunteers: 38
• Energy Kits Given: 98
• Funds Distributed: $49,084.12
• Churches/Agencies: 43

Thanks for your support!

Thanks to these folks for support from November-December 2007:

• Gloria Christi Lutheran Church
• Dr. Lininger/Westview Church of Christ
• Women’s Fellowship/St Johns United Church of Christ
• Energy Outreach Colorado
• Dale Dowling
• Pizza Pals – Cici’s Pizza
• Fellowship Church
• Bethel Baptist Church
• Christ Community Church
• Victory Christian
• Chaplain Mark Weiler
• Vineyard Christian Fellowship

FCSF Update, January 2008

Can you imagine, we are now in the year 2008?!
In the year 1972, as a boy of ten years old, I would imagine what the world would be like when I’d grow up – a time so far away! Now- we are experiencing the future.
Years change, we physically change, yet some things seem never to change.
People – the blessings and burdens of us all continue as long as we live in this, a fallen world. But there is hope, and I am honored and humbled to witness the love you show to so many, giving hope in seemingly small ways. Please read some of the true stories listed in this blog, every person you have faithfully served. Also, take a moment to read the Servant’s Report to get a quick look at the numbers of those cared for by you. Thank you.

Faith Community Service Fund’s Board of Directors will be meeting on February 20th to plan strategy for 2008 and beyond. Our prayers are to see our servanthood described in three levels:
Body – our current financial service to people
Soul - connection to sources of spiritual strengthening
Spirit – walking with our Creator

You can join us by praying – we need your prayers for wisdom throughout this strategic planning process.

Always, we are never really alone. An old hymn reminds us of His power, which is always present:

Lay down your burdens, I will carry you my child.
Because I can walk on water, calm the restless sea,
I’ve down a thousand things you’ve never done.
Lay down your burdens, I will carry you my child.

I thank the Lord for you everyday.

Tragedy, then a Bit of Hope

The closing months of 2007 didn't unfold as Jane Franklin could ever foresee, nor ever want. A rape sent the sweet, senior citizen into a forced exodus, moving from place to place to maintain her safety. After invading her physical location, the perpetrator had Jane's phone number along with other personal information. Working with paralegals, the Area Agency on Aging and Catholic Charities, Jane was quickly moved into an anonymous apartment.

Jane was scheduled to meet with Faith Community Service Fund's volunteers but a snowstorm almost forced a cancellation. One volunteer was able to make it to meet with Jane in an undisclosed location on that bitterly cold, snowy day. "She thought she needed to tell about her terrible tragedy, to re-live part of it. I told her she only needed to talk about how we could serve her now," explained the volunteer. Jane was quite relieved. "I haven't been in a situation like this, to request much from anyone," said Jane. Thanks to the generosity of so many, Jane was served by paying two months of rent.

Jane sent a response to Faith Fund:

You have been more help to me than I could ever
tell you. Since the unfortunate thing that happened to me, I have had a hard
time. I am so thankful there are people in this world like you, and I pray to
God that He will bless you, very much. There are no words for me to say except
"thank you. THANK YOU! May God richly bless you. Jane